Steve Irwin’s most iconic moments, 10 years after his passing

The Crocodile Hunter holding a small crocodile. Image credit: Steve Irwin Day

Irwin was killed by a 6-foot long stingray

On September 4, 2006, Australia and the world lost one of their most passionate, dedicated, and charismatic sons, Steve Irwin, following a tragic accident in the waters of Batt Reef, Queensland.

While filming a new documentary series at sea titled ‘Ocean’s Deadliest,’ the iconic naturalist Steve Irwin was repeatedly stabbed in the heart by a stingray. The 6-ft long animal reportedly reacted to feeling trapped by Irwin and the filming crew, swiftly taking the Crocodile Hunter’s life exactly one decade ago.

Steve Irwin first gained notoriety around the world for its wildlife documentary series ‘The Crocodile Hunter’. The Animal Planet network broadcasted the show for its entire run from 1996 to 2007, the year after Irwin’s death and the effective end of the series.

The Crocodile Hunter spent his honeymoon working

Perhaps as a testament to his dedication to his family, the first episode of what would eventually become ‘The Crocodile Hunter’ was in fact footage from Irwin’s honeymoon.

Steve and his wife Terri spent their honeymoon catching crocodiles, and the show would see both of them raise a family close to the wildlife when their daughter Mindi and son Robert were born in 1998 and 2003 respectively.

Ten years after Steve Irwin’s death, not only his wife and children remember him dearly but also his parents. His father Robert ‘Bob’ Irwin recently discovered a letter from his son written in 1992, and will share it with the world in his upcoming memoir ‘The Last Crocodile Hunter: A Father and Son Legacy.’

Australia celebrates Father’s Day on the first Sunday of September, a holiday that coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Crocodile Hunter’s passing. The Australia Zoo, an organization, owned and expanded by the Irwin family, is hosting an event to celebrate the day and honor Irwin’s memory.

Below, a compilation of unique moments that capture the essence of Steve Irwin’s life and legacy ten years after his death.

1) Snake bites Steve Irwin during live show:

During a TV show at a local station before ‘The Crocodile Hunter’ days, a snake takes a chomp at Steve Irwin’s neck. The Australian nonchalantly asks the camera operator to take a close-up of the snake as the reptile quickly lets go of his neck.

2) Steve Irwin and the Fierce Snake (world’s most venomous snake)

In his own words: “I would rather deal with this snake than a lot of people I know. I reckon that people are much more dangerous.”

3) Steve Irwin on his own legacy

“This isn’t some giant ego trip. It’s just that I got to get the camera, I got to be right in there… Because if we can teach people about wildlife, then they will want to save them.”